No one expects to be in an accident, but when the unexpected happens, having the right support can make all the difference.
That’s where the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) and NTI come in with Livestock Assist, a program which provides 24/7 emergency response and ongoing support to get drivers back on the road safely and efficiently.
An accident can present a unique set of challenges for transporters carrying livestock, and that’s why NTI is the first point of contact for the ALRTA’s program. With over 50 years of industry experience, the insurance provider has built an award-winning service designed to protect businesses, drivers and cargo in these instances. In the case of an accident, this means support and a coordinated approach is just one call away.
The Livestock Assist program allows operators to reach out to the nearest available responders (usually a local ALRTA member) who can help organise veterinary services, muster support and more. A single call to the national hotline also connects customers with in-house accident scene management, heavy vehicle recovery specialists and a nationwide network of authorised repairers who all share the similar priorities of minimising downtime, preventing further damage and reducing costs.
ALRTA National President, Gerard Johnson, knows how much this service means to livestock carriers – having operated his own transport business for nearly 20 years across remote and rural Queensland, he has come across his fair share of incidents.
“Having someone to call and take control of the situation when you find yourself in an emotional and stressful position is a huge comfort,” he says. “Feeling that you’re not on your own can make all the difference.”
The service also extends far beyond just vehicle recovery. NTI’s network of heavy vehicle recovery operators ensures that trucks are recovered safely using the latest equipment and techniques as well.
“If a customer calls NTI Accident Assist, we provide over-the-phone accident scene management and can dispatch specialist services if needed,” says NTI Incident Response Manager, Shaun Traves. “We make sure they’re not left to deal with a stressful situation alone.
“If we need specialist equipment to handle a unique situation, we’ve always got access to someone who can help because we have a list of heavy vehicle recovery operators contracted to us.”
The financial and environmental impact of a truck accident can be significant, with clean-up costs sometimes reaching into the millions. However, NTI works closely with emergency services and regulatory authorities to ensure compliance and efficiency in resolving incidents.
In addition to logistics, NTI takes a human-first approach by offering post-incident trauma counselling to drivers.
“We treat every accident as if it’s our own,” Shaun says. “Having had family go through accidents and trauma in the past, we provide the support we would want for our own family.”
Whether it’s arranging for a driver to be transported home or making sure a pet that was travelling with them is cared for, NTI focuses on the details that matter.
“Having an Authorised Repair Network, including NTI Premium Repairers, means our customers don’t need to worry about where they can get a quote or who can complete the repairs safely and efficiently,” says NTI Head of Claims Services, Tim Pontifex. “If the vehicle is still driveable, they don’t have to take it off the road or go around getting quotes. Once the vehicle enters the workshop, the repairer has automatic authorisation and can start working on it straight away.”
The ability to quickly tow a damaged vehicle or trailer to an authorised repairer significantly reduces downtime for businesses, keeping trucks moving and minimising financial losses. According to NTI, it also takes a lot of pain and suffering out of the whole process after an accident.
“We strongly encourage customers who have an accident to call our Accident Assist line as soon as possible,” Tim says.
The Livestock Assist hotline (1800 425 782 or 1800 4 ALRTA) is free to use for all livestock transporters or anyone else at the scene of an incident. The program will be relaunching this month at the ALRTA’s National Conference with up to 300 operators in attendance.
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